US6357834B1 - Heavy vehicle axle with separate load-bearing device - Google Patents

Heavy vehicle axle with separate load-bearing device Download PDF

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Publication number
US6357834B1
US6357834B1 US09/502,096 US50209600A US6357834B1 US 6357834 B1 US6357834 B1 US 6357834B1 US 50209600 A US50209600 A US 50209600A US 6357834 B1 US6357834 B1 US 6357834B1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
load
assembly
rotatable
bearing
wheels
Prior art date
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Expired - Fee Related
Application number
US09/502,096
Inventor
Larry W. Bowman
Patrick D. Laper
Raji S. El-Kassouf
Michael G. Semke
Richard M. Clisch
Gary P. Ford
Joseph B. Saxon
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
AxleTech International IP Holdings LLC
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Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems LLC
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Application filed by Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems LLC filed Critical Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems LLC
Priority to US09/502,096 priority Critical patent/US6357834B1/en
Assigned to MERITOR HEAVY VEHICLE SYSTEMS, LLC reassignment MERITOR HEAVY VEHICLE SYSTEMS, LLC ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: FORD, GARY P., SEMKE, MICHAEL G., CLISCH, RICHARD M., EL-KASSOUF, RAJI S., LAPER, PATRICK D., BOMAN, LARRY W., SAXON, JOSEPH B.
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US6357834B1 publication Critical patent/US6357834B1/en
Assigned to AXLETECH INTERNATIONAL IP HOLDINGS, LLC reassignment AXLETECH INTERNATIONAL IP HOLDINGS, LLC ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: MERITOR HEAVY VEHICLE SYSTEMS, LLC
Assigned to LASALLE BUSINESS CREDIT, INC. reassignment LASALLE BUSINESS CREDIT, INC. SECURITY INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: AXLETECH INTERNATIONAL IP HOLDINGS, LLC
Assigned to MERITOR HEAVY VEHICLE SYSTEMS, LLC reassignment MERITOR HEAVY VEHICLE SYSTEMS, LLC SECURITY AGREEMENT Assignors: AXLETECH INTERNATIONAL HOLDING, LLC
Assigned to AXLETECH INTERNATIONAL IP HOLDINGS, LLC reassignment AXLETECH INTERNATIONAL IP HOLDINGS, LLC RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Assignors: MERITOR HEAVY VEHICLE SYSTEMS, LLC
Assigned to AXLETECH INTERNATIONAL IP HOLDINGS, LLC reassignment AXLETECH INTERNATIONAL IP HOLDINGS, LLC RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Assignors: LASALLE BUSINESS CREDIT, LLC
Assigned to MERRILL LYNCH CAPITAL CORPORATION reassignment MERRILL LYNCH CAPITAL CORPORATION SECURITY AGREEMENT Assignors: AXLETECH INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC., AXLETECH INTERNATIONAL IP HOLDINGS, LLC, AXT ACQUISITION CORPORATION, AXT ACQUISITION HOLDINGS, INC.
Assigned to WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY reassignment WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY SECURITY AGREEMENT Assignors: AXLETECH INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC., AXLETECH INTERNATIONAL IP HOLDINGS, LLC, AXT ACQUISITION CORPORATION, AXT ACQUISITION HOLDINGS, INC.
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60BVEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
    • B60B19/00Wheels not otherwise provided for or having characteristics specified in one of the subgroups of this group
    • B60B19/14Ball-type wheels
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60BVEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
    • B60B35/00Axle units; Parts thereof ; Arrangements for lubrication of axles
    • B60B35/12Torque-transmitting axles
    • B60B35/16Axle housings
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60BVEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
    • B60B35/00Axle units; Parts thereof ; Arrangements for lubrication of axles
    • B60B35/12Torque-transmitting axles
    • B60B35/16Axle housings
    • B60B35/166Axle housings characterised by reinforcements, e.g. reinforcement ribs
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60GVEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
    • B60G9/00Resilient suspensions of a rigid axle or axle housing for two or more wheels
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60BVEHICLE WHEELS; CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION
    • B60B2360/00Materials; Physical forms thereof
    • B60B2360/50Rubbers
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60GVEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
    • B60G2206/00Indexing codes related to the manufacturing of suspensions: constructional features, the materials used, procedures or tools
    • B60G2206/01Constructional features of suspension elements, e.g. arms, dampers, springs
    • B60G2206/30Constructional features of rigid axles
    • B60G2206/31Straight axle
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60GVEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
    • B60G2300/00Indexing codes relating to the type of vehicle
    • B60G2300/02Trucks; Load vehicles
    • B60G2300/026Heavy duty trucks
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60GVEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
    • B60G2300/00Indexing codes relating to the type of vehicle
    • B60G2300/40Variable track or wheelbase vehicles
    • B60G2300/402Extra load carrying wheels, e.g. tag axles
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60GVEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS
    • B60G2800/00Indexing codes relating to the type of movement or to the condition of the vehicle and to the end result to be achieved by the control action
    • B60G2800/01Attitude or posture control
    • B60G2800/019Inclination due to load distribution or road gradient
    • B60G2800/0192Inclination due to load distribution or road gradient longitudinal with regard to vehicle
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60YINDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY
    • B60Y2200/00Type of vehicle
    • B60Y2200/10Road Vehicles
    • B60Y2200/14Trucks; Load vehicles, Busses

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an axle assembly for supporting a heavy vehicle on a surface, and more specifically, the invention relates to load-bearing devices that reduce wear caused by scrub.
  • Heavy vehicles such as a heavy duty lift truck typically utilize non-steerable assemblies that have a wheel assembly on each end of an axle housing.
  • the wheel assembly includes a pair of wheels that are secured to one another. Utilizing multiple wheels on each end of the axle housing increases the load bearing capacity of the axle assembly.
  • One drawback of using multiple wheels secured to one another on each end of the axle housing is an increase in tire wear from tire scrub. As the heavy vehicle negotiates a turn, the wheels on the inner radius of the turn travel a shorter distance than the wheels on the outer radius of the turn. Since the pair of wheels in a wheel assembly is secured to one another, they may only rotate at one speed. Furthermore, the wheels may not move in the direction of the turn on non-steerable axle assemblies.
  • the present invention provides an axle assembly for supporting a heavy vehicle on a surface.
  • the axle assembly has an axle housing with opposing ends and a wheel supported on each of the opposing ends for engagement with the surface.
  • Each of the wheels is rotatable about a rotational axis.
  • a rotatable load-bearing device is supported on the axle housing for engagement with the surface.
  • the load-bearing device is arranged between the wheels and is rotatable about a plurality of pivotal axes.
  • the above invention provides a load-bearing device that provides a high load bearing capacity axle assembly while reducing wear caused by scrub to the load bearing components.
  • FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the present invention axle assembly with load-bearing devices
  • FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention axle assembly with a partially broken view of one of the load-bearing devices.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 An axle assembly 10 for supporting a heavy vehicle on a surface 12 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • the axle assembly 10 has an axle housing 14 with opposing ends 16 and a wheel 18 supported on each of the opposing ends 16 for engagement with the surface 12 .
  • Each of the wheels 18 is rotatable about a rotational axis R.
  • the axle assembly 10 may be a drive axle with the wheels 18 being driven about the rotational axes R by a drive mechanism 19 , such as a differential. Further, the wheels 18 on the axle assembly 10 may be steerable.
  • a rotatable load-bearing device 20 is supported on the axle housing 14 for engagement with the surface 12 .
  • a load-bearing device 20 is in spaced relation from each wheel 18 , as shown in each of the Figures.
  • the load-bearing device 20 is arranged between the wheels 18 and is rotatable about a plurality of pivotal axes, which is discussed in more detail below.
  • the load-bearing devices 20 reduce scrub, and thereby wear of the load bearing component in engagement with the surface, by permitting the load bearing component to pivot about more that one axis.
  • a worker of ordinary skill will appreciate that any number of load-bearing devices may be used.
  • one embodiment of the present invention utilizes swivel wheels as load-bearing devices, which are permitted to move in the direction of the turn.
  • the load-bearing devices 20 have vertical V and horizontal H axes of rotation.
  • the load-bearing device 20 includes a bracket 24 secured to the axle housing 14 and is pivotal about the vertical axis V.
  • a load-bearing wheel 26 is supported on the bracket 24 and is pivotal about the horizontal axis H.
  • the bracket 24 and wheel 26 pivots about the vertical axis V in the direction of the turn.
  • the rotatable load-bearing devices 20 do not scrub, or drag, as would a conventional wheel.
  • the load-bearing device 20 includes a load-bearing housing 30 secured to the axle housing 14 .
  • a load-bearing ball 32 is disposed within the housing 30 and is rotatable about an infinite number of axes since the ball 32 is permitted to rotate in any direction.
  • the load-bearing device 20 further includes a plurality of bearings 34 interposed between the load-bearing housing 30 and the load-bearing ball 32 .
  • the load-bearing ball 32 has a spherical exterior surface 36 constructed from hardened rubber to provide increased traction between the ball 32 and the surface 12 .

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Steering-Linkage Mechanisms And Four-Wheel Steering (AREA)

Abstract

An axle assembly for supporting a heavy vehicle on a surface is provided. The axle assembly has an axle housing with opposing ends and a wheel supported on each of the opposing ends for engagement with the surface. Each of the wheels is rotatable about a rotational axis. A rotatable load-bearing device is supported on the axle housing for engagement with the surface. The load-bearing device is arranged between the wheels and is rotatable about a plurality of pivotal axes. By permitting the load-bearing devices to pivot about more that one axis, unlike a conventional wheel, wear caused by scrub may be reduced. In one embodiment, the load-bearing devices are swivel wheels that are pivotal about vertical and horizontal axe. In another embodiment, the load-bearing devices are load-bearing balls that are pivotal about an infinite number of axes.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an axle assembly for supporting a heavy vehicle on a surface, and more specifically, the invention relates to load-bearing devices that reduce wear caused by scrub.
Heavy vehicles, such as a heavy duty lift truck typically utilize non-steerable assemblies that have a wheel assembly on each end of an axle housing. The wheel assembly includes a pair of wheels that are secured to one another. Utilizing multiple wheels on each end of the axle housing increases the load bearing capacity of the axle assembly. One drawback of using multiple wheels secured to one another on each end of the axle housing is an increase in tire wear from tire scrub. As the heavy vehicle negotiates a turn, the wheels on the inner radius of the turn travel a shorter distance than the wheels on the outer radius of the turn. Since the pair of wheels in a wheel assembly is secured to one another, they may only rotate at one speed. Furthermore, the wheels may not move in the direction of the turn on non-steerable axle assemblies. As a result, a portion of the wheels must be dragged, or scrub, during the turn which causes the tire to wear significantly. Increased tire wear requires more frequent tire maintenance and results in higher costs. Additionally, tires are difficult to dispose because of space constraints and environmental concerns. Therefore, what is needed is a load-bearing device that provides a high load bearing capacity axle assembly while reducing wear caused by scrub to the load bearing components.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES
The present invention provides an axle assembly for supporting a heavy vehicle on a surface. The axle assembly has an axle housing with opposing ends and a wheel supported on each of the opposing ends for engagement with the surface. Each of the wheels is rotatable about a rotational axis. A rotatable load-bearing device is supported on the axle housing for engagement with the surface. The load-bearing device is arranged between the wheels and is rotatable about a plurality of pivotal axes.
Accordingly, the above invention provides a load-bearing device that provides a high load bearing capacity axle assembly while reducing wear caused by scrub to the load bearing components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other advantages of the present invention can be understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the present invention axle assembly with load-bearing devices; and
FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention axle assembly with a partially broken view of one of the load-bearing devices.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
An axle assembly 10 for supporting a heavy vehicle on a surface 12 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Referring to the Figures, the axle assembly 10 has an axle housing 14 with opposing ends 16 and a wheel 18 supported on each of the opposing ends 16 for engagement with the surface 12. Each of the wheels 18 is rotatable about a rotational axis R. The axle assembly 10 may be a drive axle with the wheels 18 being driven about the rotational axes R by a drive mechanism 19, such as a differential. Further, the wheels 18 on the axle assembly 10 may be steerable.
A rotatable load-bearing device 20 is supported on the axle housing 14 for engagement with the surface 12. Preferably, there is a load-bearing device 20 is in spaced relation from each wheel 18, as shown in each of the Figures. The load-bearing device 20 is arranged between the wheels 18 and is rotatable about a plurality of pivotal axes, which is discussed in more detail below. The load-bearing devices 20 reduce scrub, and thereby wear of the load bearing component in engagement with the surface, by permitting the load bearing component to pivot about more that one axis. A worker of ordinary skill will appreciate that any number of load-bearing devices may be used.
Referring to FIG. 1, one embodiment of the present invention utilizes swivel wheels as load-bearing devices, which are permitted to move in the direction of the turn. Specifically, the load-bearing devices 20 have vertical V and horizontal H axes of rotation. The load-bearing device 20 includes a bracket 24 secured to the axle housing 14 and is pivotal about the vertical axis V. A load-bearing wheel 26 is supported on the bracket 24 and is pivotal about the horizontal axis H. As the vehicle turns, the bracket 24 and wheel 26 pivots about the vertical axis V in the direction of the turn. As a result the rotatable load-bearing devices 20 do not scrub, or drag, as would a conventional wheel.
Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 2. The load-bearing device 20 includes a load-bearing housing 30 secured to the axle housing 14. A load-bearing ball 32 is disposed within the housing 30 and is rotatable about an infinite number of axes since the ball 32 is permitted to rotate in any direction. The load-bearing device 20 further includes a plurality of bearings 34 interposed between the load-bearing housing 30 and the load-bearing ball 32. Preferably, the load-bearing ball 32 has a spherical exterior surface 36 constructed from hardened rubber to provide increased traction between the ball 32 and the surface 12.
The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology that has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

Claims (12)

What is claimed is:
1. An axle assembly for supporting a heavy vehicle on a surface, said assembly comprising:
an axle housing having opposing ends defining a rotational axis laying in a first generally horizontal plane;
a wheel supported on each of said opposing ends for engagement with the surface, each of said wheels rotatable about said rotational axis; and
a rotatable load-bearing device supported on said axle housing for engagement with the surface, said load-bearing device disposed between said wheels and rotatable about a plurality of pivotal axes wherein at least one of the pivotal axes lies in a second generally horizontal plane spaced apart from said first plane.
2. The assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said wheels are driven about said rotational axis by a drive mechanism.
3. The assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said assembly comprises two rotatable load-bearing devices.
4. The assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said plurality of pivotal axes comprises two axes.
5. The assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said two axes comprise vertical and horizontal axes of rotation.
6. The assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said load-bearing device includes a bracket secured to said axle housing and pivotal about said vertical axis, and a load-bearing wheel supported on said bracket and pivotal about said horizontal axis.
7. An axle assembly for supporting a heavy vehicle on a surface, said assembly comprising:
an axle housing having opposing ends;
a wheel supported on each of said opposing ends for engagement with the surface, each of said wheels rotatable about a rotational axis; and
at least one rotatable load-bearing devices supported on said axle housing for engagement with the surface, said load-bearing device disposed between said wheels and rotatable about an infinite number of pivotal axes.
8. The assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said load-bearing device includes a load-bearing housing secured to said axle housing and a load-bearing ball disposed within said load-bearing housing and rotatable about said infinite number of axes, and wherein said load-bearing device further includes a plurality of bearings interposed between said load-bearing housing and said load-bearing ball.
9. The assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said load-bearing ball includes a spherical exterior surface comprising hardened rubber.
10. The assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said assembly comprises two rotatable load-bearing devices.
11. An axle assembly for supporting a heavy vehicle on a surface, said assembly comprising:
an axle housing having opposing ends;
a wheel supported on each of said opposing ends for engagement with the surface, each of said wheels rotatable about a rotational axis; and
a rotatable load-bearing device smaller than said wheels supported on said axle housing for engagement with the surface, said load-bearing device disposed between said wheels and rotatable about a plurality of pivotal axes.
12. An axle assembly for supporting a heavy vehicle on a surface, said assembly comprising:
an axle housing having opposing ends;
a wheel supported on each of said opposing ends for engagement with the surface, each of said wheels rotatably driven about a rotational axis; and
a rotatable undriven load-bearing device supported on said axle housing for engagement with the surface, said load-bearing device disposed between said wheels and rotatable about a plurality of pivotal axes.
US09/502,096 2000-02-10 2000-02-10 Heavy vehicle axle with separate load-bearing device Expired - Fee Related US6357834B1 (en)

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20110083921A1 (en) * 2009-10-11 2011-04-14 Gm Global Technology Operations, Inc. Systems for and methods of facilitating a lateral maneuver by a vehicle

Citations (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1091065A (en) * 1913-01-29 1914-03-24 Militaire Auto Company Inc Auxiliary-wheel mechanism for motor-cycles.
US1183106A (en) * 1915-09-24 1916-05-16 William J Noonan Supplemental or emergency wheel for automobiles or the like.
US2273663A (en) * 1939-02-27 1942-02-17 Robert G Robert Antiskidding device for automobiles
US2756831A (en) * 1953-09-03 1956-07-31 Ferguson Harry Inc Drive mechanism for implements sidemounted on tractors
US2776845A (en) * 1952-02-04 1957-01-08 Darwin Products Inc Bicycle balancer
US2967580A (en) 1956-06-26 1961-01-10 Elie P Aghnides Composite wheel
US3071388A (en) 1961-06-22 1963-01-01 Yale & Towne Mfg Co Caster wheel mounting
US3285447A (en) * 1964-04-17 1966-11-15 Melville E Junion Shop truck
US4060252A (en) * 1974-11-06 1977-11-29 Geoffrey John Mowery Ball type transfer apparatus
US4118048A (en) * 1977-04-08 1978-10-03 Seiko Time Corporation Wheeled sample case
US4223753A (en) * 1977-12-19 1980-09-23 Bradbury Harold M Omni-directional transport device
US4801152A (en) * 1987-07-10 1989-01-31 Elliott James H Boat dolly
US4818031A (en) * 1987-10-15 1989-04-04 Brown Robert J Rapid mount traction tire for forklifts and the like
US5184446A (en) * 1991-08-30 1993-02-09 Willard Gustavsen Roller platform for installing planar flooring
US5580074A (en) * 1995-05-04 1996-12-03 Moreno; Peter Wheel system for soft surfaces
US6022082A (en) * 1996-10-17 2000-02-08 Traction On Demand Llc Traction device for vehicle wheels

Patent Citations (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1091065A (en) * 1913-01-29 1914-03-24 Militaire Auto Company Inc Auxiliary-wheel mechanism for motor-cycles.
US1183106A (en) * 1915-09-24 1916-05-16 William J Noonan Supplemental or emergency wheel for automobiles or the like.
US2273663A (en) * 1939-02-27 1942-02-17 Robert G Robert Antiskidding device for automobiles
US2776845A (en) * 1952-02-04 1957-01-08 Darwin Products Inc Bicycle balancer
US2756831A (en) * 1953-09-03 1956-07-31 Ferguson Harry Inc Drive mechanism for implements sidemounted on tractors
US2967580A (en) 1956-06-26 1961-01-10 Elie P Aghnides Composite wheel
US3071388A (en) 1961-06-22 1963-01-01 Yale & Towne Mfg Co Caster wheel mounting
US3285447A (en) * 1964-04-17 1966-11-15 Melville E Junion Shop truck
US4060252A (en) * 1974-11-06 1977-11-29 Geoffrey John Mowery Ball type transfer apparatus
US4118048A (en) * 1977-04-08 1978-10-03 Seiko Time Corporation Wheeled sample case
US4223753A (en) * 1977-12-19 1980-09-23 Bradbury Harold M Omni-directional transport device
US4801152A (en) * 1987-07-10 1989-01-31 Elliott James H Boat dolly
US4818031A (en) * 1987-10-15 1989-04-04 Brown Robert J Rapid mount traction tire for forklifts and the like
US5184446A (en) * 1991-08-30 1993-02-09 Willard Gustavsen Roller platform for installing planar flooring
US5580074A (en) * 1995-05-04 1996-12-03 Moreno; Peter Wheel system for soft surfaces
US6022082A (en) * 1996-10-17 2000-02-08 Traction On Demand Llc Traction device for vehicle wheels

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20110083921A1 (en) * 2009-10-11 2011-04-14 Gm Global Technology Operations, Inc. Systems for and methods of facilitating a lateral maneuver by a vehicle
US8336912B2 (en) * 2009-10-11 2012-12-25 GM Global Technology Operations LLC Systems for and methods of facilitating a lateral maneuver by a vehicle

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